Craftside

How to Drill Holes in Pennies and Make a Stretch Lace Bracelet

When I got my new copy of The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making, 2nd Edition: More than 700 Large Format Color Photos, I spotted the page featuring the hole drilling tool and thought it looked like a really cool thing to try. Well, as luck would have it, I was in a discount store and spotted one... that I, of course, immediately got!

I was with a friend, and she said she used hers to drill holes in pennies. So naturally, I thought that would be the first thing I would try with the new tool. This is the stretch lace bracelet I made with my "2 cents" charms.

I followed the step-by-step directions in the book for making holes in soft metal:

Using a Hole Punch Tool
1. To use a hole punch tool, first determine where you want the hole in your metal to be located and mark it with an X.
2 Position the X inside the hole punch (on either end of the tool depending on whether the hole should be 1.5 or 2 mm).
3 Turn the hole punch handle until it pierces a hole through the sheet.

So now, I had 2 cents with holes in them. You can see where this is going, right? 

I have been playing around with a bunch of stretch lace ribbon that I scored a swap meet.

To make the bracelet, I cut a length of the stretch lace and slipped one end through a large hole Prima Bead.

I wrapped the beaded end around the loose end and pulled it back through the large hole bead.

Then, I linked my 2 cents to each end of the lace with a jump ring and a charm. The best part is, it is still totally adjustable.

More about the new CPi book in the Complete Photo Guide series:

 

The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making, 2nd Edition: More than 700 Large Format Color Photos

by Tammy Powley

This is a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of jewelry making. This book provides a reference for all methods, including:

• Bead stringing,
• Wire work,
• Metal fabrication,
• Metal clay,
• Polymer clay,
• Fiber
• Resin

Includes step-by-step instructions for all the basics and 45 projects.

Now with:

• 15 new projects
• Expanded techniques
• All new gallery of jewelry by various designers

Tammy Powley is a writer, designer, and teacher. She is the author of several jewelry books, including The CompletePhoto Guide to Jewelry Making; Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry; Jewelry and Beading Designs for Dummies; Making Mixed Media and Memory Jewelry; Making Designer Seed Bead, Stone, and Crystal Jewelry; and Making Designer Bead and Wire Jewelry. Besides print publications, Tammy writes her own weblog about crafting (Crafty Princess Diaries) at http://www.tammypowley.com.

Tammy has studied a large variety of jewelry techniques, from beading to metalsmithing, and has worked extensively with glass, fibers, and paper art. After spending eight years on the art show circuit, she eventually turned to writing about art, though she continues to sell her work through special commissions.

Scissor Pin and Pink Prima Beads Necklace

Today, I have a necklace design to share with you that has a fun little technique I use regularly in my jewelry design. I tend to collect pins but I don't wear them. I scored this great scissor pin at an antique mall and it was screaming to be made into a necklace.

My latest batch of Prima Beads contained some great pink drops, connectors and beads. I thought these would look awesome with my big gold scissors.

As mentioned above I have a fun little way to hang a bead from the pin back. You know those little spacer beads that come on a strand of focal big beads? Well, I used 3 of the little beads to hold the chain in the center of the pin back to allow the center bead to dangle from the pivot point of the scissors.

I can't wait to wear my new gold scissor and Prima Beads necklace.

Want more fabulous jewelry making ideas and techniques? Might I suggest:

The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects: Techniques and Design Notes for One-of-a-kind Jewelry Pieces

by Deryn Mentock

Make your very own bohemian, rustic, one-of-a-kind, jewelry that integrates found objects or repurposes beautiful charms and elements from your jewelry box. In The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects, you will not only learn solid techniques for making several beautiful projects, but also how to plan and conceive your designs using unique objects in mixed media jewelry pieces.

 

This book includes an overview of the tools and materials you’ll need to get started, as well as a reference section  that outlines important techniques. Projects included use metals, wire, beads, stones and found objects to create unique jewelry that will have everyone talking. Informative sidebars  share tips and design notes that discuss the design elements in the piece; colors, shapes, textures, and what works in the piece and why. Find your inspiration, while developing amazing design skills with The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects!

  

Deryn Mentock is a jewelry artist whose work has been featured widely in both books and magazines. She is a nationally known teacher and travels to teach mixed media jewelry classes at such venues as Art Unraveled, Adorn Me!, ArtBliss, Art & Soul, and others. In addition, she teaches online classes from her website, Jewelry Works. Her design work includes being on the creative team for Susan Lenart Kazmer and work done for Michaels national craft stores. Her work has been published online for Michaels, as well as in their project book for Susan Lenart Kazmer’s Industrial Chic project book.

 

She maintains a strong online presence for the past six years through her blog Something Sublime and runs a very successful venture into online teaching through her site, Jewelry Works. She’s had hundreds of happy online jewelry making students and continues to gain a following through both sites. She also maintains an Etsy store, Flickr site, Pinterest membership and several Yahoo groups.

 

www.somethingsublime.typepad.com

www.somethingsublime.typepad.com/jewelry_works/

www.mocknet.etsy.com

Prima Bead and Spellbinders metal flower necklace inspired by The Jewelry Maker's Design Book

New books like The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects: Techniques and Design Notes for One-of-a-kind Jewelry Pieces and new jewelry making supplies from Prima Beads and a Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms flower have combined to make today's New Year's Eve bling.

While attending the Spellbound event, I had the opportunity to make this focal charm that features a metal flower die cut made using Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms flower die cut. At the event, they gave us a nice cord to hang the charm from, but I thought I'd gather up some Prima Beads and fancy it up a bit.

To get some inspiration, I flipped through the new book The Jewelry Maker's Design Book and I spotted this pair of earrings that uses a beaded wire to hang a finding.

I cut a piece of wire and formed a loop on one end. Then, I threaded 9 super sparkly silver Prima Beads onto the wire, then the pendant and another 9 beads. I then formed another loop.

To complete the necklace I linked a length of chain and a heart charm to each wire loop.

This is a great jewelry making technique that would work to feature a new pendant or update the look of an old one.

If you happen to be a jewelry maker and know someone who might like a book as a gift for the holidays, might I suggest:

The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects: Techniques and Design Notes for One-of-a-kind Jewelry Pieces

by Deryn Mentock

Make your very own bohemian, rustic, one-of-a-kind, jewelry that integrates found objects or repurposes beautiful charms and elements from your jewelry box. In The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects, you will not only learn solid techniques for making several beautiful projects, but also how to plan and conceive your designs using unique objects in mixed media jewelry pieces.

 

This book includes an overview of the tools and materials you’ll need to get started, as well as a reference section  that outlines important techniques. Projects included use metals, wire, beads, stones and found objects to create unique jewelry that will have everyone talking. Informative sidebars  share tips and design notes that discuss the design elements in the piece; colors, shapes, textures, and what works in the piece and why. Find your inspiration, while developing amazing design skills with The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects!

  

Deryn Mentock is a jewelry artist whose work has been featured widely in both books and magazines. She is a nationally known teacher and travels to teach mixed media jewelry classes at such venues as Art Unraveled, Adorn Me!, ArtBliss, Art & Soul, and others. In addition, she teaches online classes from her website, Jewelry Works. Her design work includes being on the creative team for Susan Lenart Kazmer and work done for Michaels national craft stores. Her work has been published online for Michaels, as well as in their project book for Susan Lenart Kazmer’s Industrial Chic project book.

 

She maintains a strong online presence for the past six years through her blog Something Sublime and runs a very successful venture into online teaching through her site, Jewelry Works. She’s had hundreds of happy online jewelry making students and continues to gain a following through both sites. She also maintains an Etsy store, Flickr site, Pinterest membership and several Yahoo groups.

 

www.somethingsublime.typepad.com

www.somethingsublime.typepad.com/jewelry_works/

www.mocknet.etsy.com

Christmas Jewelry tutorials to whip up for Holiday gift giving

I know next week is Thanksgiving, but as any crafter knows it's never too soon to start making your holiday gifts (oh and maybe a little bling for yourself too!)

And since I am all about the twofer, if you don't know about Amazon's Matchbook program, you can buy a paper book and get an e-version for just $2.99! Keep the eBook and gift the paper one! To find out all the ways you can give and get ebooks(subject to availability), pop on over to the QBookShop eBook Info Page.

And this wouldn't be a true twofer without a couple of craft projects. This first one features Prima Beads Tis the Season large hole snowflake and reindeer beads. I simply slid one of the large hole beads onto some stretch velvet (I cut the end at an angle to make it a bit easier) and tied a knot. I did one bead on each velvet band and I like wearing 3 at a time as you can see. These would be great for a group craft night or an easy item for a craft fair fund raiser. 

Not only am I all about the "gift one, keep one" philosophy of book buying it also rings true for jewelry making, I am all about sharing two ideas:

This next one is a bit more extensive.

I used a variety of Prima Beads Tis the Season Christmas charms. For the base I re-purposed an old metal belt and refashioned the links into a wide cuff.

If you happen to be a jewelry maker and know one who might like a book as a gift for the holidays might I suggest our soon to be released:

The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects: Techniques and Design Notes for One-of-a-kind Jewelry Pieces

by Deryn Mentock

Make your very own bohemian, rustic, one-of-a-kind, jewelry that integrates found objects or repurposes beautiful charms and elements from your jewelry box. In The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects, you will not only learn solid techniques for making several beautiful projects, but also how to plan and conceive your designs using unique objects in mixed media jewelry pieces.

 

This book includes an overview of the tools and materials you’ll need to get started, as well as a reference section  that outlines important techniques. Projects included use metals, wire, beads, stones and found objects to create unique jewelry that will have everyone talking. Informative sidebars  share tips and design notes that discuss the design elements in the piece; colors, shapes, textures, and what works in the piece and why. Find your inspiration, while developing amazing design skills with The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects!

  

Deryn Mentock is a jewelry artist whose work has been featured widely in both books and magazines. She is a nationally known teacher and travels to teach mixed media jewelry classes at such venues as Art Unraveled, Adorn Me!, ArtBliss, Art & Soul, and others. In addition, she teaches online classes from her website, Jewelry Works. Her design work includes being on the creative team for Susan Lenart Kazmer and work done for Michaels national craft stores. Her work has been published online for Michaels, as well as in their project book for Susan Lenart Kazmer’s Industrial Chic project book.

 

She maintains a strong online presence for the past six years through her blog Something Sublime and runs a very successful venture into online teaching through her site, Jewelry Works. She’s had hundreds of happy online jewelry making students and continues to gain a following through both sites. She also maintains an Etsy store, Flickr site, Pinterest membership and several Yahoo groups.

 

www.somethingsublime.typepad.com

www.somethingsublime.typepad.com/jewelry_works/

www.mocknet.etsy.com

 

Or some of my favorites available now:

Bead Bugs: Cute, Creepy, and Quirky Projects to Make with Beads, Wire, and Fun Found Objects

by Amy Kopperude

----------------------------------------

The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry

by John Sartin

 

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The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making

by Tammy Powley

      

How to make beaded bobeche and recycled bottle candle sticks

Is it possible to be "craft-bi-polar"? I keep alternating between crafting for Halloween and Christmas. It's making my head hurt a bit. Well, today you get Christmas. I made these Tis the Season beaded bobeches with recycled soda bottles for the candle stick part.

I started with a bobeche that I had taken the plain crystals off of.

Then I picked out a fun assortment of beads and charms from the Prima bead Tis the Season collection.

I simply formed a small loop on one end of a 3 inch piece of wire. I linked a charm onto the loop. Then a few beads and then through the hole in the bobeche from the bottom to the top. Then I trimmed the wire down to about 3/8 inch and formed another little loop.

The bobeches worked great on regular candle sticks but I wanted to use some cool soda bottles I had that had red and green labels. I did need to trim the candles down and used a bit of quake wax to secure the bobeches but I really like the look.

If you are looking for more beading ideas or fun dimensional and mixed media projects to do with your kids check out the new book:

3D Art Lab for Kids: 32 Hands-on Adventures in Sculpture and Mixed Media - Including fun projects using clay, plaster, cardboard, paper, fiber beads and more! (Lab Series)

by Susan Schwake

An inspiring collection of ideas and projects for encouraging an artistic spirit in children!  3D Art Lab for Kids includes 36 kid-friendly fine art projects in paper, clay, textiles, sculpture, and jewelry. Each project is inspired by the work of a prominent artist and is illustrated with step-by-step full-color photographs of the process as well as finished samples and variations.

 

Whether you use these projects independently or as a curriculum for hands-on 3D art experiences, you’ll find that the lessons in this book are open-ended so they can be explored over and over–with different results each time! Colorful photos illustrate how different people using the same lesson will yield different results, exemplifying the way the lesson brings out each artist’s personal style.  3D Art Lab for Kids is the perfect book for creative families, friends, and community groups and works as lesson plans for both experienced and new art teachers. Children of all ages and experience levels can be guided by adults and will enjoy these engaging exercises.

 

Susan Schwake is an art instructor in her own art school, where she has created her own curriculum. Her vision to teach and share art on her own terms has grown into artstream studios, which includes a contemporary gallery, an adjunct teaching staff of three, workshops and retreats most every day of the year, and their own full media design firm. She lives in Rochester, NH. She is the author of Art Lab for Kids (Quarry Books, 2012).

www.susanschwake.com

www.artstreamstudios.com